Hey CADXA Members, if you've got an image that's suitable for use on the club QSL card, please consider submitting it to Al (W7XA) for the Club QSL Card Photo Contest. 

You can see all the images that have already been submitted in the Members Only section - check them out and see how much competition you've got!

By CADXA Member Bill Maynard, W7ZT

It is customary each year for the Governor to make a Proclamation for Amateur Radio Week.  As the liaison between the ARRL and the Arizona State Legislature, I was designated to "appear" with the Governor for a photo opportunity, and accept the Proclamation.

In the middle of the night a week or so ago, I thought that I could do something different with this opportunity, I got up and wrote down a few ideas... Why not have the Governor make the Proclamation over the radio!   I thought it would be Special if we could use K7UGA as the contact.

I built a 2 meter antenna and mounted it on a tripod, and used an Icom QRP rig at 5 watts.  We set up on the eighth floor of the State Executive Building. Then as a member of the Central Arizona DX Club, as we are the trustee for Barry Goldwaters call sign K7UGA, I asked and received  permission to use this call.

I am not acquainted with 2 meters at all, so I got some of my Thursday morning "buddies" to help me.  We looked to see which repeater would get us over the state. Just to be safe, and not be "broadcasting", I made a contact from the Governors 8th floor office to Judy, K7JLF, and she stood by to receive the Proclamatiom from the Governor. Some of our local repeater gurus arranged to have most all of the State repeaters linked to the one we were using.

Our Governor was most charming and got a "kick" out of operating on Amateur Radio.  She asked if we could leave the equipment!  I offered to get her an application! A number of photos and a video we taken and they were sent to ARRL at their request, to be put in QST.  I believe that we will also be on the new ARRL website that will include the video.

I was most proud and appreciative to be able to use K7UGA for this event. Thanks to the CADXA Board and Mike Fulcher KC7V, Trustee, for allowing us to use the call. K7UGA QSL cards were sent to a number of contacts made from the State Office Building.  A "SPECIAL" K7UGA QSL will be signed by the Governor, for Judy, K7JLF, for her "QSO" with the Governor.

Joining the CADXA reflector is easy ... click on this link:  www.tempe.gov/lists/control.aspx, choose "Subscribe to the selected lists", fill in your name and email address, and click "Submit Request".  You will receive a confirmation email, be sure to follow the instructions on that email in order to complete the process.